Startup Cost Calculator

How much does it cost to start a business?

There is no single number — it depends entirely on the model. A solo online business (freelancing, consulting, or a simple service) can start for under $500. A small e-commerce store or SaaS product often runs $2,000–$10,000 once you add inventory, tools, and a few months of runway. A physical location with staff can reach $50,000 or more. This business startup cost calculator replaces the guesswork with your own real numbers.

How to use this calculator

Startup costs fall into two buckets. One-time costs are paid once to get the business off the ground — incorporation, equipment, a website, branding, and initial inventory. Monthly costs recur every month whether or not you make a sale — rent, salaries, software, and marketing.

To know how much capital you really need, multiply your monthly costs by the number of months you expect to operate before becoming profitable (your planning horizon), then add your one-time costs. A common mistake is budgeting only for setup and forgetting that the business must survive the months before revenue catches up.

Why it matters

Under-capitalization is one of the most common reasons new businesses fail. Knowing the full number up front lets you raise enough, cut scope, or extend your timeline before you run out of cash — not after.